In the Barrister’s Bed by Tina Gabrielle

We will be giving away a copy of Book #1 in the series, In the Barrister’s Chamber, courtesy of Kensington Books. Just tell us the name of your favorite historial author and your favorite book.

Giveaway open to US and Canada residents only. 18 years and older please. Giveaway ends Friday, July 6th.

ORDER A COPY: In the Barrister’s Bed (Regency Barrister)

Publisher: Zebra Books
Publishing Date: July 3, 2012
Paperback: 344 pages

Rating: 5 stars

A Hotly Contested Claim. A bastard by birth, James Devlin lives on his own terms—until a twist of fate reveals that he is the true Duke of Blackwood. Though the brooding bachelor swears to hold on to his freedom, he does intend to take back his childhood home. But once at Wyndmoor Manor, he discovers an arresting adversary in Bella Sinclair. Her hot-blooded claim to his home is amusing…and arousing. Which is why he isn’t leaving until he takes possession of everything—starting with the bewitching Bella…

A Sensual Surrender. Bella is furious when the Duke barges into her home, declaring it rightfully his! The willful widow is not about to give up her haven without a fight, no matter how determined the Duke is—or how sensual the battlefield. But once she’s sharing a house with the beguiling barrister, she is in danger of losing everything—one deep, slow kiss at a time.

James Devlin was raised to believe he was a bastard child; the product of the affair of his titled father and his chambermaid mother. Although he was a bastard, he was given the opportunity to receive a good education and he used that education to become a barrister. He earned his own living so he would never need to depend on his unwanted family ever. James can’t determine what is more shocking; that his disapproving grandmother comes calling, that she advised James of his father’s passing or that she advised him that his parent’s were in fact married at the time of his birth and that makes him the new Duke of Blackwood. After a lifetime of being scorned by his family, the only thing he wants is the country estate where his father used to take him during summers and where for those few precious weeks, he was treated like a real son. He learns that his father sold the property and James is determined that his first duty as the new Duke is to buy back Wyndmoor Manor.

After he finally arrives at Wyndmoor Manor after tracking down the new owner and making him an offer he couldn’t refuse, he is surprised when he is attacked in his own home by an angry woman brandishing a fireplace poker. Although she is beautiful, she is obviously mad since she believes the house belongs to her.

Bella Sinclair, now—thankfully–the Widow Sinclair, has found the beautiful county estate after leaving behind her loveless life as wife to an abusive man. She can finally write as she always dreamed to do and purchasing Wyndmoor Manor is just the beginning of the life she has dreamed of, until the madman showed up at her door claiming that he was not only a Duke, but that he as the owner of her new home.

When James and Bella finally determine that they have both been swindled by the seller, neither is willing to give up the estate. James offers to buy out Bella if they find out they cannot recover all the money, but she refuses. Although it is shocking for her to live alone with a bachelor in the manor, she refuses to leave; and the war (and the fun) are just beginning.

Even James’s barrister friends are torn between who should be the proper owner of the house. And it was not just tension over the ownership of the house sparking tempers, the fierce attraction between Bella and James grows the longer they are together.

This is a wonderful story which grabbed my attention right from the start. I love no nonsense female characters, especially when they pop up in historical/regency novels. Even though Bella’s first marriage was abusive, she was now older, wiser and financial independent and was not going to allow anyone to interfere with her dreams, not without one hell of a fight. Bella’s former nursemaid now confidant has the wisdom of Yoda and she’s a frisky, old bird. I loved all of the characters, including all of James’s barrister friends. I am looking forward to reading the story of Anthony, the jaded matrimonial attorney, and Brent, the retired spy.

This is definitely a book for your must read list.

Received ARC from Kensington Books. Thank you.

Don’t forget to tell us your favorite historical author and their best book. Thank you to Kensington Books for the giveaway.

Favorite Scene:

“I should head back.”

His eyes darkened, and he reached out to cup the side of her face with his hand. “No,” he said softly. “Not yet, Bella.”

Whatever rational thought she had flew from her mind as his head slowly lowered. Then his mouth covered hers in a kiss as tender and light as a summer breeze. For several heartbeats he simply shared her breath. Then his lips brushed hers, back and forth, and he traced her full bottom lip with the sweep of his tongue. Her response was shameless, instant and total. A wild surge of pleasure spiraled through her.

Her lips parted of their own accord, and his tongue slid into her mouth. His kiss was skilled and seductive, coaxing and encouraging her response. Tentative at first, she met his tongue with her own, and her heart fluttered wildly in her breast. Then his kiss changed, became more demanding. He turned her head to one side as he plundered her mouth, sending fire through every nerve in her body.

Never had she been kissed like this by a man. Her experience was limited to Roger, and he had been demanding and hurtful. His affections had been a brutal performance of dominance. He had never been concerned for her pleasure, only her capitulation. She had learned early on to tamp down her defiance, or he would prolong his torment.

But James. He didn’t touch her with anything but his lips and the hand cradling her face. She was free to step away should she wish to. Only she did not.

For the first time in her life, she felt true lust. It was a heady emotion, a dangerous weapon in this battle of wills. A small warning voice cried out in the back of her mind that if she allowed him to treat her like a common dalliance she would lose whatever footing she had at Wyndmoor Manor. Yet, this rising passion could not be denied. How could a kiss be this potent, trigger such primitive yearnings?

Leaning forward an inch, she brushed against the hardness of his chest, felt the warmth of his body, and in haled the alluring scent of his cologne, sandalwood and cloves.

A groan rumbled from deep in his throat. He lifted his head, his dark eyebrows slanted in a frown, and looked down at her.

“I hadn’t expected that,” he said.

“The kiss?”

“No, your response.”